Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 257
“I had to slap Elaine because she had it coming! You think you can just waltz in and play homewrecker with my husband for three
years and not expect to catch these hands? I’ve been civil, not leaving you crippled!”
With that, Whitney nonchalantly flicked a marriage certificate onto the table. It instantly caught everyone’s attention.
She flipped it open to reveal a clear photo of her and Ludwik. “Till this day, I’m still the one and only Mrs. Ludwik, folks. And
there’s Elaine, strutting around like she’s the fiancée, flaunting her affair with my man. I’d really like to know where she gets off!
Three years ago, when you two had your fancy engagement bash, I was still legally married to Mr. Lippert. You think just
because you’re Mr. Big Shot, you can dodge bigamy charges?
Elaine had been bragging in the restroom earlier, saying how she had egged Mr. Lippert on to snatch my Skye Gem Ltd. from
me. And what do you know, they’re planning to tie the knot in a month.
As a scorned wife, I was boiling over. That’s why I lashed out.”
Whitney finished her tirade with a smug smile.
Elaine’s face drained of color as she stared at the marriage certificate, a chill creeping into her
gaze.
She turned to Ludwik in desperation.
His eyes were dark and stormy as he glared at Whitney. “How did you get your hands on that?”
He had been keeping the marriage certificate safe for three years!
Whitney raised an eyebrow. “I should thank you for reminding me this morning that we never officially filed the paperwork.”
Back then, she could not let go of the jerk. Thus, right when they had signed the divorce papers. she sneaked into their bedroom
and nicked it.
It had been hidden in her new apartment for three years, and just this afternoon, she dug it out. She knew it would come in
handy someday.

Elaine wanted to make a move on her company tonight, secure her place as Mrs. Lippert, and have Ludwik announce their
wedding plans.
And she had the nerve to throw shade Whitney’s way.
How could Whitney not unveil a grand surprise?
“You’ve been avoiding me for three years, and we’ve been separated long enough. Legally, I could’ve filed for divorce a long time
ago!” Ludwik gritted his teeth.
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“Too bad you never did,” Whitney said, glancing at Elaine, who was seething with fury. “Why. Mr. Lippert, still harboring fantasies
about little of disreputable me, is that why you hesitated?”
“In your dreams. I just forgot, you shameless woman!” Ludwik spat venomously.
Whitney was unfazed, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Well, now, unless I file for divorce, it looks like Elaine’s dream wedding
next month is just that–a dream. And Elaine, don’t worry about my stained reputation; it’s not like you’re any less of a mistress.”
After dropping that bombshell, she struck a flirtatious pose and caught the eye of Bryce, who had remained silent till then,
responding with a knowing smile.
“Easy there, Whitney,” he said as he took her hand, escorting her off the podium.

Orion shot a wicked grin toward Ludwik, whose jaw clenched tight. He fanned the flames as he followed. “Ms. Valentine, wait up
for me!”
The room went silent, all eyes on Whitney, who, despite her scandalous behavior, pulled it off with a certain élan.
In contrast, Elaine–well, the looks from the other ladies said it all.
The tide of public opinion was turning.
“So Elaine’s grand engagement three years ago was her stepping up as the mistress, huh?”
“Mr. Lippert was not even divorced then. How brave!”
*Playing the role of Mrs. Lippert in Banyan City, flaunting her relationship under everyone’s noses, all because she’s got the
Lippert name to hide behind. She seemed so sly earlier, throwing dirt on Whitney.”
These society ladies, who had been all smiles to Elaine because of the connection to the influential Bartels family and Mr.
Lippert, were quick to change their tune. This was their strong suit.
Elaine’s face was a mask of barely contained rage, especially since she could not lash out in front of Ludwik. She glared at
Whitney’s retreating figure, mentally branding her a vile creature for pulling out that marriage certificate.
“Why didn’t you finalize the divorce after our agreement years ago?” she demanded, her voice filled with resentment.
It should have been such a simple task. Just a call to the registrar would have done it. Why had he not taken care of it?
And over the past three years, he had not even filed for divorce. Could it be...

“Ludwik, we can’t get married if you’re still hitched to her!” Elaine lamented, her voice soft with distress.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t pay it any mind.” Ludwik consoled her with a gentle squeeze of her hand.
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Chapter 257
Then, his gaze followed the woman departing with two men, a dark cloud settling in his eyes.
Abruptly making an excuse, he said, “I’ll go force her to sign the divorce papers! Elaine, go to the lounge and find Danny. Make
sure he doesn’t run into Whitney!”
“Lu...” she started, but he was already striding away.
Elaine’s mood darkened further; she did not trust Whitney. With gritted teeth, she ignored the lounge and followed Ludwik.
In the corridor leading to the garden, Whitney glanced at Orion and said coolly, “Orion, your cameo for the evening is over. You
can go now.”
“What, you’re done using me, so now you’re off to frolic with your lover?” Orion sniped, eyeing Bryce.
Whitney knew he was all bark, no bite, and smirked, “That’s right. I should be with him and not you, shouldn’t I?”
Bryce chuckled awkwardly but then spoke up warmly, “Why don’t you go freshen up? We live close by, and we’ve got some
things to talk over later.”
Whitney knew he was referring to the auction for Skye Gem Ltd., which was likely to be a battle. She nodded and headed into
the restroom.
After touching up her makeup, she was suddenly yanked against the wall by a powerful grip.
The towering shadow loomed over her, and Whitney looked up to see who it was. Her eyes were cold, but her lips curled into a
taunting smile.
“Mr. Lippert, what’s this all about, huh? A secret affair?”

With another seductive lash of her eyes, she said ‘Mr. Lippert‘, and Ludwik bore into her with a gaze sharp enough to peel back
her skin to see what lay beneath.
His frown was icy as he spat out in scorn, “I suppose you haven’t been short of secret affairs with Bryce or Orion, have you?
You’ve grown slutty over the last three years. Since we’re not legally divorced yet, you better watch it. If I catch wind of you
cheating, you’re going to wish you had not!”
Whitney paused, a sly smile creeping across her face. Ludwik must have overheard the conversation he had had with Orion
outside.
Striding forward, she teasingly adjusted his tie. Despite his faults, the man knew how to wear a suit, looking sharp as ever.
Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted a woman lingering outside the restroom.
With a mischievous glint in her eye, Whitney playfully tapped Ludwik’s chest. “So, you’ve been shadowing me and cornering me
by the restroom while sneaking around behind Elaine’s back? What’s your game, huh? Looking for a little check–up, are we?”
Her voice was a sultry whisper.
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Chapter 25
her breath like a feather against his neck.
Ludwik’s Adam’s apple bobbed, his body tensing for a moment.
He quickly grabbed her hand, his voice deep and disdainful. “Spare me the drama. Let’s just get this divorce finalized, so I don’t
have to delay my wedding with Elaine!”
Whitney’s heart, already filled with hatred, skipped a beat at his words.
She laughed without care. “The more eager you are to marry her, the less I want to make it easy for you. Want me to sign those
papers? Then, show me some real commitment. For starters, hand over Skye Gem Ltd. And since Elaine’s been meddling in my
uncle’s case, leading him towards a death sentence, why don’t you tell her to back off?”
“Why would Elaine interfere with your uncle’s case?” Ludwik frowned, puzzled.

“You don’t know?” Whitney obviously did not believe him.
“I couldn’t care less about your family’s dirty laundry!” Ludwik’s voice was as cold as winter. frost.
Three years ago, she had left him, their son had died, and she had run away. The fact that Keegan was still breathing was
already a courtesy. In fact, he had spent the last three years. deliberately distancing himself from such matters just to catch a
breath.
“Ms. Valentine, you’ve crossed the line. Why are you slandering me the moment you come
back?”
Elaine, who was eavesdropping, could not take it anymore and burst into the restroom.